Costa Blanca’s Michelin-starred restaurants showcase the perfect harmony between tradition and modernity, with chefs who are deeply connected to their region and its bountiful ingredients. Whether you’re craving avant-garde creativity or classic Mediterranean flavours, these dining destinations promise unforgettable culinary experiences.
1. Quique Dacosta (Dénia) – Three Stars
- Address: Rascassa 1, Dénia, 03700, Spain
- Food Type: Creative
At the pinnacle of Costa Blanca’s culinary scene is Quique Dacosta, a three-star Michelin restaurant that reflects the visionary creativity of its eponymous chef. Dacosta is renowned for his artistic approach to food, often raising the question, “Can a flavor be beautiful?” His tasting menu, titled Cooking Beauty, delves deep into this idea. Featuring iconic signature dishes alongside lesser-known masterpieces, the restaurant’s philosophy highlights the bountiful produce of the Mediterranean and a commitment to sustainability. The experience is not only a feast for the palate but a thought-provoking journey through artistic and gastronomic expression.
- Must-Try: The signature tasting menu Cooking Beauty, an exploration of local flavors with bold presentations.
2. Peix & Brases (Dénia) – One Star
- Address: Plaza de Benidorm 18, Dénia, 03700, Spain
- Food Type: Mediterranean Cuisine, Modern Cuisine
Peix & Brases champions the idea that tradition is the foundation of modernity. Located near the port of Dénia, the restaurant offers two distinct dining experiences. On the ground floor, you’ll find an informal gastro-bar serving Mediterranean fusion dishes, while the first floor offers an elegant gastronomic dining room with a rooftop terrace. The focus is on Mediterranean cuisine, with an emphasis on grilled dishes, seasonal ingredients, and savoury rice specialities. Their tasting menus—Esencia and Degustación—present the perfect blend of tradition and innovative presentation.
- Must-Try: The Degustación menu, which offers a culinary journey through Mediterranean flavours with a modern twist.
3. Tula (Xàbia) – One Star
- Address: Avenida de la Llibertat 36, Xàbia, 03730, Spain
- Food Type: Mediterranean Cuisine, Modern Cuisine
Tula is a small yet highly acclaimed restaurant in Xàbia, run by the talented couple Borja Susilla and Clara Puig, both of whom trained under Quique Dacosta. The restaurant overlooks Arenal Beach, offering a relaxed, unpretentious dining atmosphere. Tula is known for market-inspired dishes, including fresh fish specials that change daily. The seven-course tasting menu is a hit, and guests are encouraged to order a variety of half-plates to create a shared dining experience. Dishes like the shisho leaf taco with pancetta and smoked eel showcase their playful yet refined approach to Mediterranean cuisine.
- Must-Try: The shisho leaf taco and the potato fritter with seafood sauce—perfect examples of creativity inspired by the Mediterranean.
4. BonAmb (Xàbia) – Two Stars
- Address: Carretera de Benitachell 100, Xàbia, 03730, Spain
- Food Type: Creative
Nestled in a restored country house surrounded by beautiful gardens, BonAmb is a two-star Michelin restaurant that offers an immersive dining experience inspired by the Mediterranean and the rich history of the Marina Alta region. Chef Alberto Ferruz crafts seasonal tasting menus—Encesa, Pesquera, and Fustal—that pay tribute to ancient fishing traditions, featuring seafood, vegetables from their gardens, and herbs from the Montgó mountains. The culinary narrative in each dish is both inventive and rooted in local history, creating a dining experience that is both thought-provoking and delicious.
- Must-Try: The Encesa tasting menu, which draws inspiration from ancient fishing techniques, with a focus on seafood and herbs.
5. Casa Pepa (Ondara) – One Star
- Address: Partida Pamis 7-30, Ondara, 03760, Spain
- Food Type: Creative
Casa Pepa, originally an iconic farmhouse restaurant managed by Pepa Romans, is now revitalized under the stewardship of chef Alberto Ferruz from BonAmb. Following a modern makeover, Casa Pepa continues to celebrate Mediterranean cuisine with contemporary touches. Located in a serene setting with a beautiful terrace, the restaurant features a menu that emphasizes local ingredients, including fresh vegetables, herbs, and fish. Casa Pepa is a perfect blend of tradition and modernity, ensuring that every meal feels like a tribute to its roots while introducing fresh, new elements.
- Must-Try: The set tasting menus, which offer a blend of contemporary Mediterranean flavours and nostalgic references to classic dishes.
6. Casa Bernardi (Benissa) – One Star
- Address: Partida Pedramala 60C, Benissa, 03720, Spain
- Food Type: Contemporary
If you’re in search of authentic Italian flavours with a contemporary twist, Casa Bernardi in Benissa is the place to be. Run by chef Ferdinando Bernardi, originally from Rimini, Italy, the restaurant seamlessly blends traditional Italian hospitality with contemporary Mediterranean cuisine. Casa Bernardi’s al dente pasta and dishes like squid ink lasagne and spaghetti carbonara celebrate the best of both worlds—Italian culinary tradition and local Alicante ingredients. With a choice of tasting menus, including a vegetarian option, it’s a place that truly respects the art of Italian cooking in a Mediterranean setting.
- Must-Try: The squid ink lasagne and the Pasta Lovers tasting menu for an unforgettable Italian culinary experience.
7. Audrey’s (Calpe) – One Star
- Address: Avenida Juan Carlos I 48, Calpe, 03710, Spain
- Food Type: Creative, Regional Cuisine
Named after the legendary Audrey Hepburn, Audrey’s is led by chef Rafa Soler, who has crafted a creative menu deeply rooted in Valencia’s culinary traditions. The tasting menus—Roots, Origin, and Farm—explore the flavours of the Mediterranean while highlighting seasonal, regional ingredients. The restaurant also prides itself on serving freshly baked bread made from a family recipe, and their own extra-virgin olive oil. The connection to the land and tradition makes this dining experience both personal and memorable.
- Must-Try: The Origin tasting menu, showcases the best of Valencia’s culinary heritage with modern techniques.
8. Orobianco (Calpe) – One Star
- Address: Colina del Sol 49 A, Calpe, 03710, Spain
- Food Type: Italian Contemporary
Orobianco offers a stunning combination of Italian-inspired cuisine and panoramic views of Calpe’s iconic Peñón de Ifach rock. Chef Paolo Casagrande brings elegance and technical mastery to the table with dishes that highlight both Italian and local Mediterranean ingredients. The restaurant features two tasting menus, Short and Long, which emphasize clean, precise flavours and creative presentation. Standout dishes like cuttlefish tagliatelle and watercress risotto with red prawns elevate the dining experience, making Orobianco a must-visit for lovers of Italian cuisine.
- Must-Try: The cuttlefish tagliatelle and watercress risotto for an unforgettable blend of Italian and Mediterranean flavours.
